Billiard-table, pool-table, &amp;c.



, H. G. BARRETT.

945,150. Patented Jan. 4, 1910.

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APPLICATION FILED 3117.8, 1908. Patented 4 6 BHBETEAHEET 6.

ANDREW. I. mum m bunnu lnmm'uwl UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD G. BARRETT, 0F WILMETTE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGIYOR T0 JOHN H. LEE, OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IBILLIARD-TATBLE, POOL-TABLE, &c.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 4, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD G. BARRETT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Wilmette, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Billiard-Tables, Pool- Tables,&c., of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to the construction of game tables,such as billiard and pool tables; and my primary object is to provideimproved means for facilitating the renewal of cloths on tables of thatcharacter. To that end, there is provided, in the preferred embodimentof the invention, mechanism for simultaneously retracting the edge-railsof the table combined with means actuated by said mechanism forsimultaneously relieving the tension of the cloth to facilitate thedisengagement of the cloth from the cloth-adjusting means, saidmechanism serving also, in a reverse movement, to tighten the new clothand restore the rails to their normal position in close relation to theedges of the table-top.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment in theaccompanying drawings, in'which Figure 1 represents a broken verticalsectional view of a table constructed in accordance with this invention,the cushion-rail being shown in dotted lines; Fig. 2, a sectional viewof the cushion-rail; Fig. 3, a perspective view of a rack-bar forming apart of the rail-actuating mechanism; Fig. 4, a vertical sectional viewshowing a rail in a retracted position; Fig. 5, a broken section takenas indicated at line 5 of F l; Fig. 6 a broken perspective View of oneof the toothed cloth-securing bars or metallic rim members which lieadjacent to the edges of the tabletop or slab (usually of slate) Fig.

7, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 7 of Fig. 4; Fig.8, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 8 of Fig. 4; Fig.9, a bottom view of the table-top with the rails and the actuatingmechanism therefor applied, the rails being shown in the retractedposition; Fig. 10, a broken side view, partly in section and partly inelevation, the near rail bein removed and the rack-bars which carry iteing shown in section; Fig. 11, a broken bottom view showing amodification of the frame which is adapted to be applied to the bottomside of the tabletop to afford guides for the rack-bars of the rails andto support the shafts which serve to actuate the rails through themedium of said rack-bars; Fig. 12, a broken sectional view taken asindicated at line 12 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13, a broken outer side view of atoothed cloth-securing bar of modified form; and Fig. 1a, a sectiontaken as indicated at line let of Fig. 13.

In the construction shown, A represents a billiard table comprising theusual bed A (commonly of slate), body A end rails A, side rails A, andbed-plate covering or cloth A; B, a rectangular frame interposed betweenthe upper edge of the body and the table-top or bed and forming asubstitute for the commonly employed tacking-strip usual in this classof construction at the present time, the frame B affording guides forthe bars or arms which support the movable edge-rails of the table andserving also to support the mechanism which actuates said edge-railsthrough the medium of said bars or arms; C, mechanism for actuating therails; and D, cloth-attaching or securing means automatically actuatedby the railmoving mechanism, whereby the tension upon the cloth will berelieved when the rails are retracted or moved outwardly and tensionwill be applied to the cloth when the rails are moved inwardly to theirnormal position adjacent the edges of the table-top.

The body of the table may be of any approved construction and design,the construction illustrated being most commonly employed. The table-topcommonly is of slate, three transverse slabs being usually employed toform the table-top. The edge portions of the slate project slightly pastthe body of the table, as shown. The edgerails are preferably formed ofwooden strips (4 to which are applied finished top pieces a andcushion-rails a removably secured to the main strips by screws a.

The frame B, according to the construction shown in the main views ofthe drawings, comprises corner guideanembers 6, b intermediateguide-members b b and connecting strips or bars 7). The guide-membersare of metal, and the connecting members b may be either of wood ormetal. The guide-members 5', I2 have their lower sides provided withtransverse channels If, and the plates or members b are detachablyconnected with the members b, 6 by screws Z). projections 12 (Fig. 7)forming supports for the arms or rack-bars connected with theedge-rails. The frame B may be removably connected with the slate, as byscrews or The construction is such as to provide tend inwardly throughthe guides provided therefor in the frame B; a pair of longitudinalshafts 0 supported in bearings carried by the side members of the frameB; a pair of end-shafts 0 supported in bearings carried by the endmembers of the frame 13; bevel gears 0* applied to the ends of saidshafts 0 c and meshing with each other; pinions c on said shafts meshingwith the teeth of the rack-bars; and a transverse crank-shaft orkey-shaft 0 equipped with a worm c meshing with one of the pinions 0 Thebars 0 are of angle form and are secured to the inner vertical. surfacesand lower sur faces of the wooden members a, by means of screws 0 Thebars are preferably formed with inwardly projecting lugs or shanks 0 ofrectangular form, to which the rack-bars 0 are secured by means ofscrews 0. As shown in Fig. 3, each rack-bar c is provided with avertical shoulder 0 adapted to abut against the inner end of the shank 0with a horizontal surface 0 adapted to bear against the lower surface ofthe shank 0 with a vertical shoulder 0 adapted to bear against thevertical portion of the bar 0 beneath the shank 0 and with a horizontalsurface 0 adapted to bear against the lower surface of the bar 0. Theshank c is provided with slots 0 through which extend the screws c whichscrew into perforations 0 in the shank of the rack-bar 0 The bars 0 areprovided with lugs 0 having perforations or slots therein through whichextend adjusting-screws 0 which screw into adjacent ends of the shanksof the rack-bars 0 The purpose of this adjustment is to provide foraccurate alinement of the rail with relation to the edge of thetable-top. The shank of each rack-bar is provided with a cam-slot havingan inclined portion 0 and horizontal portions 0 0 at the end thereof.These cams serve in the actuation of the cloth-securing means D. Asshown in Figs 1 and 7, the rack-bars c fit into the guides with whichthe frame B is provided, said rackbars being provided with toothedportions 0 of less width than the bars themselves. As shown in Figs. 1,4:, 9 and 10, the guide-members and b of the frame B are equipped withlugs in which the shafts c are j ournaled; and, as shown in Fig. 4:, oneof said. guide-members is equipped with a bearing for the shaft 0. Theshaft 0 has a reduced portion a which projects through an opening 0 inthe tablebody, and is shaped to receive a crank or key The automaticallyadjustable cloth-securing means D comprises preferably sheet metal bars,or rim-members (Z which lie adjacent to the e lges of the table-top orslab A Each of these bars is equipped on its outer side with downwardlyextending outwardly projecting teeth (Z these teeth preferably beingformed integral with the sheet metal bars by a punching operation. Thebars (Z are provided with vertical slots (Z through which pass screws d(Fig. 8), which screw into openings (Z (Fig. 7) in the frame B. Theconnection thus provided enables the toothed bars or rim-members (Z tomove vertically. As shown in Figs. at and 6, each bar (Z is provided atits lower portion with an inturned flange cl. Each bar (Z is provided atintervals with openings fl formed by cutting away the horizontal flangeand a portionof the vertical flange of the bar, as shown in Fig. 6, toaccommodate the corresponding rackbar. At each opening, the bar isequipped with a bracket (Z which carries a pin or roller d adapted towork in the cam-slot of the corresponding rack-bar. Each bar d extendsthe full length, or approximately the full length, of the edge of thetable-top A adjacent to which it lies.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, B represents amodification of the frame B. In the modified construction, there areemployed longitudinal bars 6 extending approximately the length of thetable; transverse bars 6 extending approximately the width of the table;and corner-connecting members Z2 shouldered to receive the adjacent endsof the bars 5 Z), the bars being connected with the corher-members byscrews Z2 The bars are equipped withlugs in which are journaled thevshafts 0 0 In practice the shafts may be inserted in their bearings andequipped with their pinions, so that in assembling the frame B andapplying it to the tabletop the beveled pinions will mesh with eachother properly. This construction enables the work of assembling to beperformed with facility after shipment.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14:, D represents amodification of the cloth-attaching means. In this construction, thereis employed a sheet metal bar (2 of angular form whose upper edgeportion is bent over upon itself, as indicated at (Z the teeth beingformed from the bent over portion. This construction facilitates theformation of perfectly sharp teeth by a punching operation, which is animportant over the teeth (I of the bars (I.

consideration .in providing an economical due limitation is to beunderstood thereconstruction. As shown in Fig. 14:, each tooth (Z has abody portion Z which lies closely adjacent to the vertical flange of thebar, and an outwardly inclined point-portion The body or base-portion (Zof the tooth is adapted to clamp the cloth after it has been impaled onthe tooth. The feature of folding the metal upon itself at i the upperedge-portion of the bar adds to the rigidity and strength of the bar. Asclearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the bars 0 are recessed on their innersurfaces, as indicated at (Z to accommodate the teeth of thecloth-securing bars.

As appears from Figs. 1 and 2, each railmember a is longitudinallyrecessed at its inner upper portion, as indicated at 7, thus providing ashoulder f above which the edge of the adjacent bar (2 projects, thusaffording a socket for the projection f with which the cushion-rail a isprovided at its outer lower corner. iVhen the cushion-ail is in placeand the screw-bolts a inserted, a secure connection is provided. Whendesired, the cushion rail a may be removed and substitute cushion-railsapplied. The old cushion-rails may then be sent to the factory forrenewal of the cushions.

The operation of the improved mechan ism may be readily understood fromthe foregoing detailed description. \Vhen a cloth is to be applied tothe table, the rails are retracted through the medium of the mechanism0, which is accomplished by turning the crank-shaft or key-shaft 0,which operates to turn the shafts o c and o erate the rack bars 0 whichcarry the ct ge-rails of the table. In this operation, the camsconnected with the rack-bars serve to elevate the cloth-securing bars.\Vhen the table is in this condition, which condition is indicated inFigs. l and 9, the cloth A is applied, its edge portion being hooked Theshaft 0 is then turned in a direction to move the edge-rails of thetable inwardly, in which operation the cams connected with the rackbarsserve to depress the rim-members (Z and stretch the cloth. of the inwardmovement of the rack-bars 0 the cam-rollers (Z move in the horizontalportions 0 of the cam-slots, so that there is no movement of therim-members cl during the final portion of the inward movement of theedge-rails of the table. In the outward movement of the edge-rails, thecam-pins move in the horizontal portions 0 of the cam-slots, so thatthere is no vertical movement of the rim-members (Z until after theedge-rails of the table have moved slightly away from the edges of thetable-top.

It will be understood that the foregoing detailed description has beengiven for clearness of understanding only, and that no un- During thefinal portion from. The particular mechanism shown for actuating theedge-rails of the table and for automatically tightening or looseningthe cloth, according to desire, is the construction preferred, but it isrecognized that undue importance should not be attached to theparticular form of mechanism employed.

\Vhat I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1.The combination with a table, of edgerails therefor horizontally movablewith relation thereto, inwardly extending rackequipped arms connected attheir outer ends to said edge rails, interconnected gear-actuated shaftscarrying pinions engaging said arms, and operating means connected withone of said shafts whereby the simultaneous movement of the edge-railsis effected.

2. The combination with a table, of edge rails therefor horizontallymovable with relation thereto, inwardly extending rackequipped armsconnected at their outer ends to said rails, interconnectedgear-actuated shafts carrying pinions engaging said arms, and anactuating shaft extending transversely of and geared to one of saidinterconnected shafts whereby said shafts are actuated tdeti'ectthesimultaneous movement of the edge-rails.

3. In a table of the character set forth, the combination of atable-body provided with an opening, a table-top, horizontally movableedge-rails equipped with inwardly proj ecting arms, interconnectedshafts connected with said arms, and a transverse actuating shaftconnected with one of said interconnected shafts and extending throughthe opening in said table-body, whereby means may be applied to the endof said transverse shaft to rotate the same to effect the rotation ofthe series of interconnected shafts and the simultaneous movement of theedge rails.

l. The combination with a table-top, of movable cloth-attaching meanstherefor, 110 movable edge-rails for said table-top, and mechanismcommon to both the cloth-attaching means and the edge-rails foractuating the same.

5. The combination with a table-top, of re- 115 tractable edge-railstherefor, movable clothattaching means, rail-actuating means, andconnections between the cloth-attaching means and said rail-actuatingmeans whereby the formcr is actuated in the movement 120 of the latter.

6. In a table, the combination with a tabletop, of retractableedge-rails therefor provided with inwardly extending arms, a frameapplied to the lower surface of said 125 table-top and having transverseguide-channels therein, removable guide members applied to the lowerside of said frame and having portions extending beyond the sides ofsaid guide-channels whereby said guide- 130 channels are adapted toreceive and support the arms of the edge-rails and to permit of theirmovement therein.

7; The combination with a table-top, of retractable edge-rails therefor,vertically movable cloth-attaching means, mechanism for retracting theedge-rails, and cam connections between said rail-moving mechanism andsaid cloth-attaching means whereby the latter is actuated by themovement of the former.

8. The combination with a table-top, of horizontally movable rails,rail-actuating means, vertically movable tooth-equipped cloth-securingmembers located between said rails and table-top, and means foractuating said clothesecuring members in the movement of thetable-rails.

9. The combination with a table-top, vertically movable cloth-attachingmembers at the edges thereof, horizontally movable rails between whichand the edges of the table top said clothattaching members are confined,mechanism for actuating the movable rails of the table-top, and meanscarried by said mechanism for actuating said cloth-attaching members.

10. The combination with a table-top, of edge-rails provided withinwardly projecting arms, mechanism for actuating said edge-railsthrough the medium of said arms,

faces and horizontal cam surfaces at the eX- tremities thereof, andcam-engaging means carried by said rim-members.

11. The combination with a table-top, of vertically movablecloth-attaching members at the edges thereof, horizontally movable edgerails for said table-top, mechanism for actuating said edge rails, andmeans carried by said mechanism to elevate said cloth-attaching membersin the outward movement of said edge-rails, and to depress saidclothattaching members in the inward movement of said edge-rails,whereby the cloth on the table-top is loosened in the first movement andstretched in the latter movement of said edge-rails.

12. In a table of the character set forth. a

a cloth-attaching rim-member, comprising a sheet metal bar having teethformed at its upper edge, the bar being bent upon itself to cause saidteeth to project downwardly and laterally, for the purpose set forth.

HAROLD Gr. BARRETT. In presence of RALPH G. SCHAEFER, A. U. THoRIEN.

